london may need a third major stadium in addition to Wembley and Picketts Lock if it is to bid for the Olympics Games, the British Olympic Association has warned.
A new venue is one option in a report submitted to culture secretary Chris Smith yesterday. The report also suggests using Wembley as the games' centrepiece.

Smith told Building that he fully supported bringing the games to London but added that major improvements to sporting facilities would be required.

He said: "We would need many new facilities around London, including a swimming complex." Smith said a 2012 bid was "not impossible" but added that other dates would be considered.

The association submitted a 380-page draft document to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport before Christmas. It is also due to meet the Greater London Authority.

Smith added that the £95m Picketts Lock stadium, given the go-ahead two weeks ago after plans to build a running track at the new Wembley were thrown out, could host the 2005 World Athletics Championship – but was too small for the Olympics.

"Picketts Lock would not be appropriate as the centrepiece for the Olympics," he told Building. "It could not host the track and field events or the opening and closing ceremonies."